On Repentance and Faith
“By Grace are ye saved” - followed by Faith? Is Faith really the
caboose at the end of the train, as many contend? Does Faith enter the
spectrum of things only after one has repented? The argument given us that
“repentance comes first, before Faith, is taken from Acts 20:21: “repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the “proof” we
are asked to accept! The order in this scripture is repentance, then Faith. The difficulty here is the failure to see the scope of related scripture.
When we isolate a verse and take it out of context we violate the law of study
and are almost certain to engage in uncertainty in Bible interpretation. While I have no intention of refuting popular teaching, I do propose to
present Faith in a more comprehensive environment: Faith not only follows
repentance, but also precedes it; in fact, encompasses the entire spectrum of
man’s response to the call of God in redemption. “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have
showed you, and have taught you. . .Testifying both to the Jews and to the
Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts
20:20,21. Notice the words placed in italics: preceding repentance and faith one
must be shown; he must be taught; he must receive testimony as to the
necessity for “repentance and faith.” “Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” Rom. 10:16. In light
of this verse we look at verse 17: “So then faith cometh by hearing;” But
hearing what? The report. And from whence comes the report? By the Word of
God. “This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the
law, or by the hearing of faith?” Gal. 3:2, 3:5. “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the
Word of Faith, which we preach” Rom. 10:8. So we see that repentance will not, can not be wrought from the heart
until there first is implanted the seed of the “Word of Faith” and a quickening
of the seed, the “hearing of Faith” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Rom. 10:10. Actually, it is a “call” in response to a “call.” Before the sinner seeks the
Savior, the Savior seeks the sinner. It is the Shepherd who must search for the
straying sheep. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And
how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” Rom. 10:11. The discerning eye will notice that Divine order is on many occasions,
given in the reverse. The scripture is clear: hearing and believing precede the
calling. What is involved in the “call?” Is it not “repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ?” “The goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance. “Rom. 2:4 “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the Gift of God.” Eph. 2:8. (Notice again the reverse order.) Read it this way:
It is the Gift of God, through Faith, that ye are saved by Grace. Again, “For by
Grace are ye saved t h r o u g h Faith: as previously stated, ‘faith encompasses
the entire spectrum of man’s response to the call of God in redemption.’ A common assumption is that one must first repent and only then does
faith enter the picture. If this be true, then repentance must be accomplished
in unbelief! If faith is not the instrument employed to bring repentance, then it
must of necessity be classified as the work of the flesh! To say that one must
first repent, to realize his enmity against God, to acknowledge his offense, to
willingly throw down his weapons in surrender to God, in total abandonment of
pride and self-will. . .and then will follow Faith? No, it is utterly impossible! Man is in spiritual darkness; the Light of the “Word of Faith” must first
illuminate his heart, else he will not, cannot come to a true, scriptural
repentance. “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed. . .And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light. . .neither cometh to the light. . .But he
that “doeth Truth” cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God” John 3: 18-21. What is “doeth truth?” Jesus explained it to an inquisitive crowd: “Then
said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on
him whom he hath sent” John 6:28,29. “I. . .have showed you, and have taught you. . .testifying. . .repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” If the sense of this verse
be carefully sought, we should see the sinner now facing the Father in
repentance: having believed the “Word of Faith” he has turned from sin to God,
in willing Obedience! We are given in Hebrews chapter eleven not only a definition of Faith, but
also a very practical picture of the manner in which it works: “These all died in
faith. . .having seen and were persuaded. . .and embraced. . .and confessed.
Faith then, allows us to see the Truth, it persuades us of its authenticity: its
capabilities extend not only to revealing the Savior, but likewise in convincing
the sinner of his awful plight and of his desperate need! Only then is he willing
to repent and embrace Truth and confess Christ as Lord! The purpose of this article is not to attempt to give all the answers, but
to raise enough questions, that only the Lord can answer; that will cause us to
study the Word and seek Divine Wisdom from its Author!
